Gold rush in northern Turkish province after fake report of treasure

ORDU – Doğan News Agency

DHA Photo

Rumors that construction workers found two jars of gold while digging a plot have triggered a gold rush in the Black Sea province of Ordu, with the governor calling on citizens to give up the search which is exploiting the area.

“As the nuts harvest was poor last year, people with economic burdens have started dreaming of gold or treasure, digging everywhere,” Gov. İrfan Balkanlıoğlu told Doğan News Agency. “I advise them to give up.”

Nuts are a main source of income in the province.

The search for gold began when the local media reported two workers had found two earthen jugs full of gold during the construction of a botanic garden project near a 16th century bath house in the Altınordu township of Ordu. The report said the workers fought with each other when trying to share the gold, ending up at the gendarmerie station. The story went viral on social media immediately.

However, the governor said the news report was fabricated, and preached for citizens to pursue earned incomes, as those searching for gold were destroying precious historic artifacts.